Rep. Buchanan critical of Egypt's government

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is increasingly becoming one of the loudest critics in Washington of Egypt's new government.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said Congress needs to send a clear message to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi that he needs to be careful about the direction he is leading that country or U.S. aid will be cut.

Over the last two weeks, the Longboat Key Republican has called for the U.S. to suspend all foreign aid to Egypt and labeled new Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's recent tactics as being like a dictator's.

Buchanan said his frustration stems from how much foreign aid the U.S. sinks into Egypt — $2 billion annually since 1979. For that type of funding, Buchanan said in an interview Friday, the U.S. should expect a better friend than Egypt has been of late.

More specifically, Buchanan said Egypt needs to be a better supporter of key U.S. ally Israel and not be so quick to take up sides with Hamas amid the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

"It is clear to me they support Hamas," Buchanan said.

Buchanan said also at issue is Morsi's attempt to elevate himself over the judiciary in Egypt in recent weeks. Buchanan said it looks like a big power grab and is more in line with a dictator.

Buchanan said Congress needs to send a clear message to Morsi that he needs to be careful about the direction he is leading that country or U.S. aid will be cut.

"Clearly it needs to be reassessed," Buchanan said of U.S. aid to Egypt.

Buchanan has seen Egypt first hand. Buchanan visited the nation in early 2011, just weeks after protesters forced then Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek to resign after 30 years in office.

Buchanan represents the 16th Congressional District, which includes all of Sarasota County and most of Manatee County.

Fertilizer fight

County governments are bracing for another battle with the Florida Legislature over fertilizer restrictions.

That was clear on Thursday when the Florida Association of Counties met in Sarasota to talk about its legislative priorities in 2013. Hundreds of county commissioners from the state's 67 counties heard warnings about how state lawmakers are expected to once again attempt to curtail counties and cities from being able to restrict fertilizer use and sales in urban areas.

"We've been told it's imminent," Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson, a Republican, said of the potential legislation.

Patterson, a member of the Florida Association of Counties' board of directors, said counties should have the right to regulate fertilizers to keep them from running off and polluting local waterways.

Sarasota was the first county in Florida to pass fertilizer restrictions in 2007. Since then, dozens of other counties have followed Sarasota's lead.

"Water quality is an important issue in Florida," Patterson said.

Counties have battled the Legislature over the last three years over the fertilizer regulations. State lawmakers, with support from the landscaping industry and fertilizer retailers, have argued the state needs to set rules that are consistent from county to county to make it easier for people to follow.

The Florida Association of Counties, which met for three days at the Sarasota Hyatt, voted to make protecting fertilizer restrictions one of its top issues for the 2013 Legislature session, which starts in March.

Early preparations

Bradenton Republican Bill Galvano has not been in the Florida Senate for even a month. But he already knows he wants to seek re-election in 2014.

Galvano, who won his Senate seat on Nov. 6, filed papers to run for re-election to Florida Senate District 26 on Nov. 19.

Galvano said the early start is to get a jump on the task of fundraising and to make clear that he intends to hold the seat.

State senators normally get four-year terms, but Galvano is getting only a two-year term starting in 2013 because of the impact of re-districting. If he wins re-election in 2014, he'd get a four-year term.

Delegation meeting

In preparation for the 2013 Legislature session, Manatee County's delegation is scheduled to meet with the public on Friday to discuss key upcoming issues.

County delegations meet annually to hear from community groups and residents about what issues are priorities heading into a new session.

The four members of the Manatee delegation will meet from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Manatee County Commission chambers at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

To make a presentation to the panel call the office of State Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, at (941) 708-4968 or email kathi.brown@myfloridahouse.gov.

Area political calendar

Wednesday: Sarasota Republican Party chairman Joe Gruters speaks to the Sarasota Republican Club before their annual Christmas dinner. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will be at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for guests and non-members. For additional information and reservations, go to SarasotaRepublicanClub.com or call Donna Arenschield 312-5279.

Thursday: Sarasota Tiger Bay holds a discussion of the 2012 election results with Sarasota County Republican Party chairman Joe Gruters and Susan Nilon, general manager of WSRQ Radio. New College of Florida political science professor Frank Alcock will moderate. The event is at 11:30 a.m. at Michael's On East, 1212 East Ave., S., Sarasota. For reservations, call Kim Noyes at (941) 925-2970 or sarasotatigerbayclub@ verizon.net

Saturday: Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell speaks to the Democratic Club of Sarasota at 11:30 a.m. at the Laurel Oak Country Club, 2700 Gary Player Blvd., Sarasota. Cost is $23 for members and $25 for non-members.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
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Last modified: December 2, 2012
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